About This Blog

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

It has been a while since my last blog post, that is because I got a new job. It is not necessarily my dream job, but my new boss is nice and my co-works are pretty relaxed so I think it will work out in the end. There is a Bright Eyes lyric I came across that read,

"I'd rather be working for a pay check then waiting to win the lottery."

I don't generally like Bright Eyes, I have seen then live a few times and they always failed to impress me. That being said, these lyrics resonate. In fact, I am getting ready to head to Sally's Beauty Supply to begin my shift in a few minutes.

I might not have the resources, connections or ability to find my dream film job at the moment, but that doesn't mean I am going to sit around and brood about it. Anyone who was ever famous spent time working a less than glamourous job. I considering this job a part of paying my dues. As painful as it is, I just try to believe that learning about beauty supplies will help me in the long run. Hey, who knows, maybe my textbook knowledge of hair dye and boar hair brushes will come in handy on a film set someday.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

So you probably don't care what my favorite films are, so here is a list of great films that I have the utmost respect for. They are not necessarily in order, well, they are in an order, but not best to worst.

I have based my choices on not only how much I personally love the film, but also on its merits as a work of art. Some are clearly 'better' than others. It would be hard to convince anyone that Hamlet 2 is better than Lord of the Rings, but both films have a unique quality which makes them special as with every film on this list.

Once you see them send me your review! You can click any of the titles to learn more! Tell me your 51 favorite films.

The other day I ran into an old high school friend and fellow female filmmaker. We spent several hours, working and talking about how our careers had developed since we last saw each other. We attended Perpich Center for Arts Education together and both decided to seriously pursue filmmaking and photography as a career. However, we each took our own path to get to where we are today. I decided to go to film school, I spent 5 years consumed by film projects, grades, stress, and debt. But now I have that BA, that degree, something no one can ever take away from me. I am now highly specialized and prepared to make my way in the film world.

My friend took a different path and after graduating high school got right into the local Minneapolis film world. She worked, developed her reputation and made those connections which are so important to a successful career. Her path allowed her to travel and most importantly, get paid, to work on films.

I am just now working on building my reputation and making connections. I am also starting to build my own equipment cage which I am hoping will make me more marketable to directors and producers. My desire to be a cinematographer basically demands that I have as many of my own tools as possible.

Right now my film/video capabilities are limited to a Sony HandyCam and a Super 8 camera. Not exactly state of the art. But I am a firm believer that at the independent level, the quality of the equipment doesn't matter as long as there is a story to tell, strong characters, and the shots are executed with perfection.

I may not have all the bells and whistles, but I am a fabulous rigger, an even better problem solver and I can always make due with what is available.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Today I applied for a hostess job at the deli in my neighborhood. Someone once told me that an artist is just a fancy word for a waitress. That may be true. I am finding that getting the jobs I want, the jobs I dream about, isn't fucking easy. It is not from a lack of trying. I got dropped from 3 films in a row due to the shittyness of my luck as of late.

To be honest, I really hope I get this hostess job. I need the cash-moneys. And when I get this job, I will consider it a badge of honor. Everyone who is anyone, has spent time working in a deli, or a restaurant, or as the Hidden Chicken mascot yelling at people on the street to take a coupon. No one ever got anywhere by walking around talking about how awesome they are. Hard work, people. That is what creates success.

In the spring of 2011, I wrote, produced and photographed my senior thesis project titled, The Rest Are Missing. It was directed by my good friend and brilliant filmmaker, Santiago Meyer of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Together the two of us embarked on an epic journey that left us, in the end, with an amazing final film that is an example of my best work to date.

The film solidifies my potential as a cinematographer and film artist. It is beautifully shot, beautifully acted by our leading man, Brian Young.

Here is a link to the blog for The Rest Are Missing. There you can see the process we went through in creating this film. There are lots of photographs of the production process and even a trailer. Please go ahead and check it out.

Once I have sent copies of the finished film to my cast, crew and supporters, I will post it on this site so the world can see what we accomplished.

There are a handful of female cinematographers, I am sure you don't know any off the top of your head, but that is ok. Cinematographers, are specialized individuals who do what they do because they are the only ones who can do it. They do not sit behind the camera for the fame, or for noteriety, and not for the money. Only cinematographers can look out into our chaotic world and give it a rhyme and reason that fits neatly within the 4 walls of the frame. Cinematography is about passion, and perfection. It is about being a problem solver and a sound voice of reason while also having the vision and the knowledge to create beauty out of nothing.